Steve and Elloit Rice got back from their shoot in S.E. Asia two days ago. Elliot strained an ankle and the Vinton Vision 10 slept in the baggage hold under something heavy and hard. Elliot has recovered well but the two friction control knobs on the Vinten have been damaged.

Does anyone know how to get them off. There is no obvious grubscrew and they do not seem to pull away like radio knobs or the spot-flood knobs on some lights.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated along with any advice on a source of spares (besides finding another tripod head.)

Not sure from your description what is actually damaged - do you mean the pan and tilt lock levers (always in the firing line and designed to be easilly replaceable for that very reason) or the pan and tilt drag controls, which from memory are practically bomb proof?

Whatever it is, Peter is your man. When I last heard (a couple of days ago) he was "on the road" but he's still getting his mail, tho' he may take slightly longer to reply than usual.

Thanks for your information. I'll pass that on. It is the big knobs which have taken the hit this time. I think something really heavy sat on the head for the whole flight because the knobs have gouges in them and polished corners and the shafts are bent. They had it well padded but it looks like the padding chafed through.

The friction controls still work but for how long ?? Also the pan drag fluid has begin to creep.

According to the owner, it has been a very good head. Kudos to Vinten for bringing it into the world.

Last edited by Bob Hart; November 26th, 2010 at 10:16 PM.
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